ILOILO – The African Swine Fever (ASF) has now reached the town of Barotac Nuevo, specifically in Barangay Cabilauan, Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. confirmed.
“Yes, may ara kita. We are tightening the surroundings and we conduct surveillance,” Defensor told the Iloilo Provincial Capitol Press Corps (IPCPC) on Friday afternoon, Dec. 9.
Strict monitoring is being implemented within the .5-kilometer radius from the hog farm were the ASF was detected.
Iloilo provincial veterinarian, Dr. Darel Tabuada, in a separate interview with Panay News, disclosed that two hogs tested positive for ASF in Barangay Cabilauan.
On Dec. 5, the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) of Barotac Nuevo requested the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) for blood collection after hog deaths were recorded on a farm. Blood samples were taken from two hogs on Dec. 6 and the following afternoon, results showed positive for ASF for both specimens.
Tabuada also said that even before the blood collection, the MAO-Barotac Nuevo already depopulated hogs in Barangay Cabilauan.
“Right now, as per information sang MAO, gamay na lang ang baboy sa area,” he added.
MINA NOW An ASF ‘RED ZONE’
Meanwhile, Defensor declared the entire municipality of Mina a red zone after the hog disease was detected in Barangay Badiangan.
On Dec. 7, the PVO sent four blood samples from two farms in the said barangay, which later tested positive for ASF.
The two farms reportedly house 119 hogs.
Based on the investigation, farm owners voluntarily reported to MAO-Mina upon seeing clinical signs and symptoms of ASF on their hogs.
MAO-Mina has already scheduled a depopulation.
On Friday, Defensor also issued Executive Order (EO) No. 460-E, further amending EO No. 460 – 2022, implementing adjusted quarantine procedures and disease prevention and control measures against ASF in the province.
Barangay Janipa-an East was the first barangay in Mina with confirmed ASF case.
Under the red zone, movement of live pigs, pork, pork products (fresh/frozen pork products and uncooked processed pork products, except cooked and canned processed pork products), and swine genetic materials in and out of the said municipality shall be prohibited.
The red (infected) zone status shall remain until lifted.
For the entire Iloilo province, a total of eight towns have already recorded ASF cases. In the red zone are Oton, San Miguel, Alimodian, Leganes, New Lucena, Santa Barbara, and Mina. Also a red zone is Brgy. Cabilauan in Barotac Nuevo.
‘STREGTHEN BACKYARD FARMING BIOSECURITY’
With the continuing spread of ASF, Defensor wants to strengthen biosecurity among backyard hog farmers, thus, he drafted another EO to implement an ASF consciousness campaign.
Explained the governor, addressing this hog disease is like facing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that requires a strategy.
“Maayo gid kon mapabaskug naton ang aton backyard. So, we will launch an ASF campaign focusing (on) biosecurity measures kapin pa sa aton nga backyard farmers. We are drafting right now sang EO for this campaign,” Defensor said.
With COVID-19, wearing a facemask and observing proper hand washing is needed. While for ASF, the strategy would be thorough disinfection.
The governor targets to kick off ASF consciousness campaign on Dec. 16 at the Iloilo provincial capitol grounds.
On the same day, the provincial government will also conduct a seminar inviting farmers, MAOs from 43 towns including Passi City and other stakeholders.
Tabuada, meanwhile, supports this initiative.
According to him, strengthening biosecurity measures in backyard farming is a vital weapon to stop the spread of ASF.
Tabuada cited Oton town wherein for the past two months, ASF was easily contained due to strict measures.
“Actually, mabudlay na naton ini i-contain nga virus. Admitted na naton na medyo bug-at na sia atubangon but of course we will do our best,” the provincial vet said.
As of Dec. 9, a total of 56 barangays in eight Iloilo towns were affected by ASF. These are the following:
* Oton – Bita Norte, Caboloan Norte, Caboloan Sur, Sta. Monica, Bita Sur, Abilay Norte, Galang, Tagbak Norte, Buray, Sta. Rita, San Antonio, Poblacion South, Pakiad, Poblacion West, Mambog, Batuan Ilaya, Sta. Clara, Sambaludan, Calamisan, Cadinglian, Salngan, Batuan Ilaud, Botong, Poblacion East, Trapiche, Tuburan, Tagbak Sur, Rizal, Abilay Sur, Pulo Maestra Vita, and Lambuyao
* San Miguel – San Jose, Poblacion (Brgy. 15), Sta. Cruz, Igtambo, Sta. Teresa, and Sto. Niño
* Alimodian – Buhay and Coline
* Leganes – MV Hechanova, Guinobatan, San Vicente, Nabitasan, Guihaman, and Lapayon
* Santa Barbara – Balabag, San Sebastian, Tig-tig, Buyo, Café, and Nasugban
* New Lucena – Badiang and Guinobatan
* Mina – Janipa-an East and Badiangan
* Barotac Nuevo – Cabilauan./PN
